With One Accord
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1 KJV
We envision an Army united in purpose and actively pursuing God’s next Great Awakening.
Over this past year we have heard multiple pleas from soldiers, employees, officers, friends, and family, sharing that they long to join corporately with other people once again. Many expressed how they miss being able to gather together; they desire to worship together; they want to have fun together; and they want to be with others who share a common desire to serve people because of their love for the Lord Jesus Christ. These cries, coupled with an open survey to salvationists of the USA Eastern Territory, renewed a prayer-filled seeking of the Lord’s leading for the coming days, thus leading us to initiate the territorial vision theme ‘Together with One Accord.’
When my children were in school, I became extremely impressed with their high school basketball team. The coach was fiery and was determined to put a team on the court that would not only compete, but also win. The teams that were assembled were not made up of 6’10” kids of massive stature, but with hard-working, dedicated players who believed in team basketball. They accomplished more when they worked together.
Well, the early believers had that type of team mentality, along with a zeal for the Lord – and amazing things happened. They had just been stunned by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Shortly after that, “He (Jesus) appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion…he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about…in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 1:3-5)
Their minds, of course, jumped immediately to their own long-awaited plans to be fulfilled: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) They wanted Him to act in the way they expected, but His plan was to fill them first.
Jesus elaborated, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7)
And so, the disciples did just that: Acts 2:1 tells us that “they were all with one accord in one place.” They joined together, and God sent His Spirit on them – and used them. He then equipped them to go into their communities near and far.
What if our territory takes seriously the challenge to unite together as a body of believers? What can happen? I believe that His Spirit will come in an unmistakably new and life-changing way upon His Church, upon our Army. I believe that He will then use us in unbelievably impacting ways, as He did the early believers.
What if our territory takes seriously the challenge to be in ‘one accord’ relative to ministry and mission? What might take place? I have faith that many will be engaged in relationship, worship and service; encouraged to grow and be His instruments of reconciliation; equipped to disciple others; and empowered to impact our communities.
I hope that you have taken the opportunity to view the Launch of our territorial initiative: Together With One Accord…. and will personally seek His face and guidance in your own ministry. If you missed this online event, please click here to catch a glimpse of where God is taking us.
I am confident about the future days of our territory, if we live and serve ‘with one accord,’ one mind, one purpose. Being, serving, living in unity – ‘with one accord’ – DOESN’T mean: that we agree on everything, that we’ll never have tension or that the journey will necessarily be smooth. Being in ‘accord’ with someone doesn’t guarantee that their ideas and work style are the same as yours. It involves a oneness in purpose, working toward the same goal of living holy lives in our everyday walk.
If the excitement already seen in the Corps and Adult Rehabilitation Centers in these initial days following the launching of this vision is an indicator of the future, we should expect the Lord to move mightily among us in the days ahead. There are many locations that have already begun to seek His face, pray and strategize for their local ministry intentionally, corporately.
WE ARE EXPECTING REVIVAL and a reawakening of our calling as an Army! His Spirit helping us, we can make a holy impact of love, healing, reconciliation and transformation right where we live and serve.
Thank you for being His hands and feet where God has planted you. Thank you for living, loving and serving ‘with one accord’. I ask you to pray with me for the days ahead, that God will mightily move among us. Are you ready? God’s been waiting for us to join together in His name.
For thy mission make me holy,
For thy glory make me thine,
Sanctify each moment fully,
Fill my life with love divine.
Brindley John Railton
SASB #682
Commissioner William A. Bamford